Cartoon Lens: How to use the Cartoon filter on Snapchat and TikTok

There’s a new filter that has TikTok users looking like Frozen’s Elsa and Tangled’s Rapunzel — but it takes a bit of finesse to use the feature. 

TikTokers are calling it the ‘Disney Princess Filter,’ but it’s not affiliated with Disney. And technically, you don’t become a specific Disney character so much as a Disney-fied version of yourself. Pretty dope.

The Cartoon filter turns you into a CGI character with Disney-style features. It is being compared to the viral Anime filter that transforms users’ faces into 2D anime renderings.

The most important thing to know about the Cartoon filter is that, while it has gone viral on TikTok, it’s actually a Snapchat filter.

@laurenwoodstra

All I needed was green eyes 👀 what character do u look like with the filter #howbizarre #HolidayMusic #fyp #foryou #disney

♬ How Bizarre – OMC

The confusion occurred thanks to a viral TikTok by @laurenwoodstra. Her father said she looked like Elsa so she, well, became Elsa. 

@basic.amoeba

GUYS, IT’S SO AMAZING!!!!! It doesn’t work when I look to the side, but it’s great facing the camera. #filter #cosplayer #animefilter #cartoonfilter

♬ original sound – Lizzy and Squid

Another TikToker, @basic.amoeba, used the filter and was compared to Frozen’s Anna.

She said, “You know how the anime filter was cool? This one is way cooler!” 

The clip racked up 9.3 million views and had TikTok users curious. 

How to get the so-called Disney Princess Filter on TikTok

First, open Snapchat and tap the filters button. 

Next, hit explore and search “Cartoon.” Be sure to use the one labeled Cartoon, not Cartoon face. 

Then, all you have to do is record your video in the Snapchat app, save it to your phone and upload it to TikTok.

How the Cartoon Lens works

The Cartoon filter works on people of all genders by adapting to each individual’s face in real time using machine learning. The filter is most effective at capturing different expressions when the person is facing forward and less so from the side profile.

If you enjoyed this story, find out why the “I hope I don’t fall” audio went viral on TikTok.

More from In The Know:

The 10 most-liked TikToks of all time

This is the microphone you keep seeing all over TikTok

Here are the 10 most popular users on TikTok

Subscribe to our daily newsletter to stay In The Know

Listen to the latest episode of our pop culture podcast, We Should Talk: